Sadly my first picture of the day was a wreck.We had just got off the ferry, while waiting in traffic, we heard a huge crash and saw a person flying through the air, then tumbling across the asphalt and she landed beside our car on the pavement. It was horrific.
A 23 year old woman cyclist had clipped the front end of a car. The car had been pulling out of a side road. It was actually her fault in our opinion and something must have distracted her because she had plenty of room to swerve, as he was barely across the middle line.
I was out of the car so fast that I don’t even remember getting out. Han says I was the first one to get to her.
Thank goodness she understood English when I told her to “don’t move and stay still”, as she was trying to get up.
I was out of the car so fast that I don’t even remember getting out. Han says I was the first one to get to her.
Thank goodness she understood English when I told her to “don’t move and stay still”, as she was trying to get up.
There would have been zero chance of that, but I did not want her to struggle and cause herself more damage.
A vacationing German female doctor and an EMT in training quickly showed up, as they were also in the traffic line. Myself along with another other girl kept her legs from moving and keep them steady. It was pretty freaking bad. Her right arm was mangled and abrasions across her chest, knee and other areas. After sliding for some 20 yards, she landed on her back. So thankful she was wearing a helmet. She only had a swollen lip and scrape on her nose. Her right arm was bent in so many unnatural ways, that it still sickens me to think about it. I did my best not to look. She was not wearing any leathers except for gloves, which may have lessened her abrasions. We unclipped her helmet but left it on and unbuckled her belt.
A vacationing German female doctor and an EMT in training quickly showed up, as they were also in the traffic line. Myself along with another other girl kept her legs from moving and keep them steady. It was pretty freaking bad. Her right arm was mangled and abrasions across her chest, knee and other areas. After sliding for some 20 yards, she landed on her back. So thankful she was wearing a helmet. She only had a swollen lip and scrape on her nose. Her right arm was bent in so many unnatural ways, that it still sickens me to think about it. I did my best not to look. She was not wearing any leathers except for gloves, which may have lessened her abrasions. We unclipped her helmet but left it on and unbuckled her belt.
Her boyfriend showed up out of nowhere, somehow, and she started getting very emotional. We actually had to remind him to not touch her, as he was overcome with worry. She started to overly fret over her motorcycle. I have been in a wreck and some weird things run through your mind that should not be a bother at the time.
The police arrived, then the ambulance, they began to stabilize her and give her an IV of fluids and pain medication.
The worst part was when they had to move her onto the cart and she began screaming in agony. That is when I started crying. Had to close my ears as best I could. So difficult to see someone in pain and not be able to help them.
The guy driving the car was beside himself with anxiety, we spoke with him after Han gave his story of what he saw to the police (left center of the photo shows police woman talking with Han through car window) and we assured him that it was not his fault. He was more worried about her, but thanked us repeatedly for being able to tell the police what happened.
Very nice man and felt for him too, as everyone was kinda walking around him, and I thought he needed some help too.
Some friends will disagree with me, but motorcycles make you too vulnerable. Just to think about how far she flew and tumbled from where her bike is laying, makes me have the shivers.
The worst part was when they had to move her onto the cart and she began screaming in agony. That is when I started crying. Had to close my ears as best I could. So difficult to see someone in pain and not be able to help them.
The guy driving the car was beside himself with anxiety, we spoke with him after Han gave his story of what he saw to the police (left center of the photo shows police woman talking with Han through car window) and we assured him that it was not his fault. He was more worried about her, but thanked us repeatedly for being able to tell the police what happened.
Very nice man and felt for him too, as everyone was kinda walking around him, and I thought he needed some help too.
Some friends will disagree with me, but motorcycles make you too vulnerable. Just to think about how far she flew and tumbled from where her bike is laying, makes me have the shivers.
(When I went to sleep that night, she was still on my mind. I hope all is well and will fully recover.) -Update- A newspaper account two days later mention that her injuries were less than initially thought and she would fully recover.
As we were slowly taking our time driving, after our sobering experience, we happened to see a street sign that read
“Sint Maarten.” We met and used to live in St. Maarten in the caribbean, so what else were we to do than go check it out and grab a cup of coffee too.
On the way we saw a field of tulips but we could not pull over for a photo op. We continued on into town, went through quite fast as it is actually a small village, turned around and headed back to the only place we saw open called “Café De Klimop.” I actually turned out to be what we “thought” was a bar, but ended up being SO much more. We ordered some coffee and, as we were the only ones in the place, began chatting with the owner.
It was one of those easy “feels like I have known you forever” kind of conversation with Ron. He also had the bottled beer by Texel Brewery that I could purchase since I forgot to stop on the island. It is fantastic by the way.
As we talked, Ron was explaining that not only was his place a bar, it was also a cafe, banquet hall, pool room, darts tournament location, voting poll, driver testing, blood and urine lab work drop off point and probably more than I can remember right now. He may have been Mayor and just did not want to tell us. LOL
We had a blast. He was so sweet and kind. He gave me a Texel beer glass, then I asked for some beer caps and he had a few for me, but then he began giving me all kinds of beer items including four stacks of different beer coasters. It was like Christmas in July. I walk in a bit sad after the morning’s experiences, but walked out with gifts, beer, fond memories and a new friend on Facebook. This traveling is turning into an amazing roller coaster ride.
After we made it to Breukelen and checked into our hotel room, we called our friends Jay and Monique who live outside of Amsterdam in a delightful little village.
Canals running all over, huge greenhouses selling the loveliest of flowers and cute homes dotting the landscape.
We enjoyed some wine and finger foods and when Han told them that I would love to hug a calf, they asked if we wanted to go visit the farm behind their house.
First I had to borrow some sensible shoes from Monique because I had sandals on.
I was super duper excited because I have been wanting to hug a calf for like months now.
We met the farmer and he gave us the enjoyable and informative tour. I am loving to learn new things every day.
I petted calves (one that was less than two days old) and even let a few suckle my hand. It helps with
their emotional needs since they are taken away from their mothers at birth. Sad but true, but these are milk cows after all. Be forewarned, if you let a calf suckle your hand, you will end up VERY slimy.
We were even able to see how the little ones are fed and taught from the one day old baby to full grown. There are so many stages they go through and they are very intelligent. One calf became overly rambunctious after eating. We were cracking up over her antics.
They only keep cows on their farm and any bulls who are born are separated immediately from the rest of the herd and sold when they are two weeks old.
The milking machine is nothing short of extraordinary in how it works, how the cows love it because they get treats and the efficiency is amazing.
I love cows, with their long eyelashes, how they enjoy human interaction, curiosity and even playfulness.
I have never been a huge beef eater, but now I don’t think I can ever eat a precious cow again.
I also talked to a few sheep. They had much to tell me and I returned a few “words.”
Oh and met a huge german shepherd that thought he was a cow. He was very cool but he kept trying to put his nose up under my skirt. He was a piggy for attention.
I have never been a huge beef eater, but now I don’t think I can ever eat a precious cow again.
I also talked to a few sheep. They had much to tell me and I returned a few “words.”
Oh and met a huge german shepherd that thought he was a cow. He was very cool but he kept trying to put his nose up under my skirt. He was a piggy for attention.
We headed back to their lovely home and had a more delicious bites of food and relaxing wine. The best part was the conversation. So wonderful to see old friends and catch up on life.
We finally parted since it was getting dark and wanted to make sure we would make it to our hotel.
Made it just fine. Snuggled in for the night. Lovely room, comfy bed and quiet. The only negative is my noise fan stopped working and it was a little difficult to sleep.
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